Gas control system with thermoelectric ignition safety device

ABSTRACT

A valve housing defines a gas inlet, a main burner gas outlet, an internal chamber and an ignition gas duct communicating with said chamber. At opposite sides of the chamber are valve seats. A safety valve closure is positioned against one of the seats. A main burner gas valve closure is positioned against the other seat and is movable away from its seat in the direction of gas flow. A valve rod extends through the latter closure and is movable therein, with the construction being such that movement of the rod can displace the safety valve closure from its seat. A thermoelectrically energized magnet has an armature operatively connected to the safety valve closure to hold it off its seat so long as the magnet is energized. A manually pivotable handle on the housing is in juxtaposition to a thrust member which is restrained against rotation while movable axially of the handle. Cams on the handle bear against cam tracks on the thrust member to axially position the thrust member in response to the rotational position of the handle. The axial position of the thrust member determines the position of the valve rod. An ignition gas valve is positioned in the ignition gas duct. It has a valve stem which bears against a cam on the handle to open and close the ignition gas valve as determined by the rotational position of the handle.

Miibus et a1.

Oct. 9, 1973 GAS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH THERMOELECTRIC IGNITION SAFETY DEVICE Inventors: Giinter Miibus, Wermelskirchen;

Ernst Siihnchen, Huckeswagen, both 4 of .Germany [73] Assignee:

Germany [22] Filed:

Apr. 29, 1971 Appl. No: 138,579

Joh. Vaillant KG, Remscheid,

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany 137/66 Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron Assistant Examiner-Richard Gerard Attorney-Darbo, Robertson & Vandenburgh 5 7] ABSTRACT A valve housing defines a gas inlet, a main burner gas outlet, an internal chamber and an ignition gas duct communicating with said chamber. At opposite sides of the chamber are valve seats. A safety valve closure is positioned against one of the seats. A main burner gas valve closure is positioned against the other seat and is movable away from its seat in the direction of gas flow. A valve rod extends through the latter closure and is movable therein, with the construction being such that movement of the rod can displace the safety valve closure from its seat. A thermoelectrically energized magnet has an armature operatively connected to the safety valve closure to hold it off its seat so long as the magnet is energized. A manually pivotable handle on the housing is in juxtaposition to a thrust member which is restrained against rotation while movable axially of the handle. Cams on the handle bear against cam tracks on the thrust member to axially position the thrust member in response to the rotational position of the handle. The axial position of the thrust member determines the position of the valve rod. An ignition gas valve is positioned in the ignition gas duct. It has a valve stem which bears against a cam on the handle to open and close the ignition gas valve as determined by the rotational position of the v I handle.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 107 109 75 71b 710 e4 e0 7/ 119. a! ar I, 12a 1a 1 101 99 1: I!

A 102 11m 93 a9 1 11 5 ll 93 I 1 PAIENTEDIIBT elm 3.763.815

SHEU UHF 4 ,/106 Fig.6

GAS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH A TI-IERMOELECTRIC'IGNITION SAFETY DEVICE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a gas control system with a thermoelectric ignition safety device. It is used for gasheated apparatus having a gas control system housing which contains a gas inlet and a gas outlet extending to a main burner. In the housing are two valve seats between which branches an ignition gas duct. A first of the valves is disposed downstream of the ignition gas duct and adapted to open in the flow direction of the gas. It is pulled open by a pivoting motion through a cam track by means of a valve stem extending sealingly therethrough. The second valve is disposed upstream of the ignition gas duct. It is pushed open into an ignition position by depressing the valve stem by a solenoid armature which is applied to a retaining magnet, energized thermoelectrically by the ignition flame, said armature being retained in the open position against the action of a closing spring.

In a known system of this kind the valve stem is connected to a pivoting handle and is provided with a radial guide pin. This guide pin bears on a ramp-shaped cam track so that the pivoting-of the handle causes the valve stem to be drawn outwardly to a greater or lesser extent and for the flow cross-section of the first valve, guided sealingly on the valve stem and entrained outwardly, is continuously variable. The pivoting handle can be axially depressed in an ignition position near the angular position of the pivoting handle which corresponds to the fully opened valve. To this end, the cam is provided with a cut extending in the axial direction. Accordingly, the valve stem is able to thrust open the second valve so that the gas can flow to the ignition gas duct (which branches off between the valves). The armature of a magnet, which is thermoelectrically energized by the ignition flame, is connected to the second valve. The armature is thrust against the magnet when the second valve is pushed open. After-the ignition flame is ignited, the thermocouple (disposed in the zone thereof) is heated; the magnet is energized; and the second valve is kept open. If the pivoting handle with the stem is then moved outwardly it must be moved into a position in which the first valve is fully opened to enable the guide pin to leave the cut in the cam track. This ensures that sufficient gas flows to the main burner in order to provide reliable flashover ignition.

In another construction of this kind, the valve stem supporting the first valve is guided on a helically curved track which is open in the closing direction of the said first valve so that the valve stem is axially freely displaceable in that direction towards the main valve member in any pivoting position.

In the known gas control systems described hereinabove, the valve stem and the valve closure mounted thereon perform a helical pivoting motion, that is to say not a pure axial motion. When the closure bears on its valve seat in the closed position, it is normally possible for the valve stem to pivot relative to the valve in the sealing bushing before it reaises the closure from the seat whereupon the closure co-executes the pivoting motion of the stem. In the course of time this may impair the function of the sealing bushing.

The object of the invention is to construct a gas control system of the kind mentioned heretofore in such a way that the valve stem performs a purely axial motion.

According to the invention this is achieved in that a pivoting handle with at least one cam is provided for actuating the valve, and to cooperate with a control cam of a thrust member which is slidably guided axially in the gas control system housing, but is not rotatable therein, and which is in driving connection with the valve stem.

To shut down the apparatus it is necessary not only to close the main gas duct to the main burner but also to interrupt the supply of gas to the ignition burner. In the known constructions described hereinabove this is not possible without difficulty. It is, therefore, a further object of the invention to construct a gas control system of the kind mentioned heretofore which will permit the apparatus, inclusive of the ignition burner, to be completely shut down.

In a further embodiment of the invention this is achieved in that the pivoting handle is provided with an ignition gas control cam by means of which an ignition gas valve in the ignition gas duct can be pushed open when the pivoting handle is in the ignition and operating position.

In the construction according to the invention, a single pivoting handle not only controls the main gas valve and the ignition safety valve but also an ignition gas valve in the ignition gas duct. Moving the pivoting handle into the off position also interrupts the supply of gas to the ignition burner.

The invention may be so performed that with the pivoting handle retained immovably in the axial direction, the valve stem bears non-positively under the effect of a spring on a thrust member, said spring maintaining the thrust member with the control cam in contact with the follower, that the pivoting handle is provided with a central push-button which is non-rotatably guided in the thrust member and because of an interlock on the pivoting handle can be depressed therein only in the ignition position thereof and that the push-button can slide the valve stem'for opening the second valve.

Another possibility is provided in that the pivoting handle can be axially depressed only in the ignition position and thus moves the valve stem for pushing openv the second valve by means of the axially slidable thrust member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial diagrammatic, longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a gas control system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows in diagrammatic form the pivoting handie of the gas control system, according to FIG. 1, in the off position.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows the pivoting handle in the ignition position.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows the pivoting handle in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of another embodiment of a gas control system according to the inveniton.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the pivoting handle of the embodiment of FIG. 5 in the off position.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but shows the pivoting handle in the ignition position.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6 but shows the pivoting handle in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts, improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

Embodiment of FIGS. 1-4

Gas is supplied to a gas control system housing 1 through an input connection 2. A valve closure 3 is biased against its seat 7 by a compression spring 4. Spring 4 bears onto a perforated plate 5 connected to the housing 1. Plate 5 supports a guide pin 6 for the valve closure 3. Thus, closure 3 blocks the input passage to a chamber 8. An ignition gas duct 9 branches from chamber 8. The gas flow through the ignition duct is controlled by a valve closure 11 biased by a compression spring 10 towards its seat 14. The valve closure 11 is raised from its valve seat 14 through a valve stem 12. Stem 12 is positioned by means of a pivoting handle 13 when duct 9 is to be opened to enable ignition gas to pass from the chamber 8 to an ignition burner duct 15.

A control valve closure 16 is positioned opposite to the valve closure 3. It is sealingly and slidingly guided on a valve rod 17 to close a passage through valve seat 18. A compression spring 19 urges closure 16 towards its seat. A stop abutment 20 is disposedon the valve rod 17 in front of the valve closure 16 and at a distance thereform. The compression spring 19 bears on a stop abutment member 20 which is fixedly joined to the valve rod 17. The abutment member 21 has an elongated aperture 22 for the free motion of the pin 23 of the gas valve. Pin 23 is controlled, in a known manner, by a water control and is associated with a low-water safety device of a once-through water heater.

A bearing pin 24 is mounted and supports a twoarmed lever 25 in the chamber 8 of the gas control system housing 1. Lever 25 has an end 26 disposed between the valve rod 17 and the valve closure 3. Lever 25 has another end 27 which is hinged to a guide pin 29. Pin 29 is connected to an armature plate 28. A compression spring 30 bears on an intermediate deck 31 of the housing 1 and on a disc 32 which is connected to the guide pin 29. This spring urges the armature plate 28 away from a thermoelectrically excitable magnet 33.

The pivoting handle 13 is supported on the housing 1 by means of a ring 34 secured to the housing. The

ring permits the handle to be rotated but not to be.

moved axially. On. being pivoted, the handle 13 controls the valve stem 12 of the valve closure 11 through a control cam 35 (see also FIG. 2). Cam 35 is mounted on the end face of said handle. The interior of the handle 13 has a recess 36, the circumference of which is provided with three earns 37 (see also FIG. 2). In the off position of the handle, the cams are disposed in three depressions 38 of three corresponding cam tracks 39 of a thrust member 40. The thrust member 40 is biased by the thrust exerted by a spring 41 which bears on the wall 42 of the housing 1. The valve rod 17 extends through said wall 42 in a sealing-tight manner.

The thrust member 40 is guided in the housing 1 so as to be displaceable but not rotatable therein. This is done by a projecting rib 43 on the thrust member 40 which is guided in a groove 44 of the housing 1. The thrust of the spring 41 is transmitted onto a shoulder 48 of the thrust member (and therefore onto the cam track 39) by a spring plate 45, a stop abutment or collar 46 on the valve rod 17 and a spring cup 47. The thrust member 40 has an aperture 49 with a groove 50 at one side thereof. A rib 51 of a push-button 53 is guided in the groove 50. A spring 53 urges the push-button 53 away from spring cup 47. The outward movement of the push-button 53 is limited by shoulder 54 contacting a wall 13' of the pivoting handle 13. The valve rod 17 has a stop abutment 55. In addition to the first rib 51, the push-button 53 is also provided with a rib pair 56. The ribs 56 are able to pass through corresponding grooves 57 on the pivoting handle 13 when the pushbutton 53 is depressed, provided that the ribs and grooves are rotationally aligned. On depressing the push-button 53 to displace the valve rod 17, that end of said valve rod which has the stop abutment 58, enters into a displacement chamber 59 of the push-button 53. The point at which the push-button 53 contacts on the valve rod 17 may be adjusted by means of a screw 60.

Operation In the off position the ignition gas valve 11 is closed and the valve stem 12 extends freely into the aperture 61 of the cam track 35. The earns 37 rest in the first depressions 38 of the cam tracks 39. To put the heater into operation the pivoting handle 13 is pivoted from the off position shown in FIG. 2 into the ignition position shown in FIG. 3. The illustration of the pivoting handle in FIG. 1 corresponds to this ignition position. After the first part-pivoting motion of the handle 13, the valve stem 12 is displaced by the cam track 35 and the valve closure 11 is moved from its seat 14. The earns 37 will then be disposed in the depressions 62 of the cam track 35. At this time no ignition gas will flow from the duct 9 and the ignition burner duct 15 since the supply of gas is still closed by the safety valve 3. When the pivoting handle 13 is in this position, the push-button 53 can be depressed to move the valve closure 3 from its seat 7. The button 53 is pushed to overcome the force exerted by the spring 52 and move the valve rod 17 by overcoming the force of the spring 41, the spring 19 and finally the spring 4. The same movement of the rod 17 pivots lever 25 to move the armature 28 against the magnet 33. To this end, the valve rod 17 slides in sealingly guided manner through the intermediate wall 42 of the housing 1 and through the control valve closure 16. With the valve closure 3 in this position, ignition gas flows through the chamber 8 and the ignition gas duct 9 as well as through the valve 11, 14 into the ignition burner line 15. The ignition flame is thus ignited. The thermocouple, not shown but heated by the ignition flame, energizes the magnet 13 and retains the armature plate 28. Accordingly, the valve 3, 7 remains open.

The push-button 53 now is manually released. Further pivoting of the handle 13 moves the earns 37 from the depressions 62 into the depressions 63 as in FIG. 4 and results in the control valve closure 16 being raised from its valve seat 18. When the cams 37 slide into the depressions 63 of the thrust member 40, and since the pivoting handle 13 does not perform any axial motion, the spring 41 pushes against the spring plate 45 and the stop abutment 46 to move the valve rod 17 to the right in FIG. 1. This moves the abutment and the closure 16 to the right so that the closure moves off its seat 18. The gas now can flow through the valve 16, 18 from chamber 8 to reach the main burner of the heater through the housing chamber 64 and a gas discharge connection 65. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the ignition gas valve 11, 14 also remains open when the handle 13 is in this position. Furthermore, the push-button 53 cannot be depressed since the ribs 56 are not aligned with slots 57.

When the ignition burner is extinguished, the thermocouple cools thus causing the magnet 33 to release the armature. Spring pivots lever 25 and the valve closure 3 blocks off the passage of gas at 7 due to the force exerted by the spring 4. Also, the gas control system enables the apparatus to be completely shut down by means of the pivoting handle 13 in that a reverse rotation of the pivoting handle 13 first moves valve rod 17 to the left in FIG. 1 to close the control valve 16, 18 and thereafter, through the cam track 35, releases valve stem 12 to permit the closing of the ignition valve 11, 14. Extinguishing of the ignition burner causes the thermocouple to cool down so that the magnet 33 then releases the armature 28 resulting in the closing of valve 3, 7 to block the passage of gas.

I The function of the stop abutment 55 on the valve rod 17 is to prevent the return of the push-button 53 if the valve rod should stick when the push-button 53 is released after being pushed in. Failure to do so could otherwise result in the following events. The valve rod 17 remains in a position in which it obstructs free closing of the safety valve 3. Jamming of the valve closure 16 on the valve rod 17 also causes, the valve closure 16 to be raised from its seat 18 due to the partial return of the valve rod 17 before the driver 20 acts on the valve lid 16. The valve 3 would then be prevented from closing while at the same time the valve 16 would be at least partially opened so that unburnt gas is able to flow to the burner. This is prevented in this case by the inability of the push-button 53 to return thus preventing further pivoting of the handle into the open position of FIG. 4. The ribs 56 remain in the grooves 57 of the pivoting handle 13 and the valve 16, 18 remains closed in all cases.

Embodiment of FIGS. 5-8

In this case, the gas is supplied to a gas control system housing 71 through a connection 72 disposed on a first housing part 71a. By means of a screw 73, adjustable from the outside and disposed in a third housing part 71, a restrictor valve lid 74 is moved towards (or away from) a passage 75 in a middle, second housing part 71b for the purpose of adjusting the gas flow. Relative to a thermocouple being heated or cooled respectively, a magnet 76 monitors a passage through valve seat 79 disposed in the middle, second housing part 71b. The movable armature of the magnet is connected to a valve closure 78 urged against its seat by a spring 77. A control valve closure 80, biased by a spring 81 and cooperating with a valve seat 82, is disposed opposite to the safety valve 78, 79. A chamber 83 is defined between the two valve closures 78 and 80. An ignition gas duct 84 branches off from chamber 83. From this duct the ignition gas flows past a valve lid 86 (biased by a spring and shown open in FIG. 5) through a passage 87 and an ignition burner duct 88 to an ignition burner.

A push rod 89 traverses the valve lid 80 in a slidably and sealing manner. The push rod is provided with a stop abutment 90 disposed at a slight distance from the valve closure 80 when the closure is against its seat 82. The compression spring 81 which biases the valve lid 80, bears on a second stop abutment 91 of the push rod 89. A first guiding action is imparted to the push rod 89 in a bulkhead 92 of the housing part 71a. The push rod then extends through a chamber 93 and its end is provided with second guiding means in a bore 94 of a cap 95. Cap 95 closes the chamber 93 in sealing-tight manner. Within the chamber 93 the push rod 89 is provided with a third abutment stop 96 against which bears a compression spring 97. Spring 97 also bears on the bulkhead 92. The compression spring 97 ensures that the stop abutment 91 constantly bears against the clevis end 98 of a rocker lever 100. Rocker lever 100 is pivotably supported on a pin 99. The thrust of the push rod is transmitted through the shorter lever arm 101 of the rocker lever 100, a thrust pin 102, a thrust member 103 connected thereto and via the cam tracks 104 (FIG. 6) of said thrust member to cams 105 of a pivoting handle 106. The three cams and three cam tracks are preferably disposed opposite each other. The axial thrust is absorbed by a retaining ring 107 which is fixedly joined to the housing 71. The pivoting handle 106 is pivotably guided in ring 107.

The circumference of the pivoting handle 106 is provided with a cam track 108 (see also FIGS. 6-8) which does not touch the valve stem 109 of the ignition gas valve when the pivoting handle is in the inoperative state. Thus, the valve closure 86 maintains the passage 1 87 in the closed state. On the other hand when the bandle 106 has been turned to the ignition position, the cams 105 leave their depressions 110 and move into depressions 111 (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). The cam track 108 moves the valve stem 109 and the valve closure 86 thus opening the passage 87 which extends to the ignition burner duct 88. The pivoting handle can be depressed when it is in this ignition position. This is because in this position a nose 112, fixed relative to the housing, and an aperture 1 13 on a collar 114 of the pivoting handle will be disposed opposite each other. The open position of the valve closure 86 is retained because the width of the cam track 108 is correspondingly large. After the pivoting handle 106 returns to abut on the retaining ring 107, the handle 106 may be pivoted into the open position (FIG. 8), this being accompanied by the cams 105 traversing into the depressions 115. The thrust member 103 is guided axially by its ribs 116 which extend into grooves 117 of an extension 118 in the wall 119 of the housing part 71a. The thrust pin 102 is guided in sealing-tight manner in the extension 118. Gas flows from the chamber 120, formed by the housing part 71a, through aduct 121 to the main burner. A pin 122 of the conventional lowwater safety device traverses the duct 121 to transmit, in known manner, the motion of water control means to a gas valve.

As already described, the gas control system housing 71 comprises the housing parts 71a, 71b and 710. In

this arrangement, the passages and valve seats will be disposed on the housing part 71b, a feature which is advantageous for manufacturing purposes.

Operation In the off position, the ignition gas valve 86, 87 is closed and the valve stem 109 is free. The cams 105 bear in the depressions 110 (FIG. 6) of the cam track 104. The pivoting handle 106 is pivoted from the off position illustrated in FIG. 6 into the ignition position illustrated in FIG. 7. This latter position of the pivoting handle is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5. The cams 105 now are disposed in the second depressions 111. The cam track 108 has displaced the valve stem 109, thus raising the valve closure 86 from its seat against the force exerted by the spring 85. The ignition gas duct 84 extending from the chamber 83 and to the ignition burner duct 88 via the valve 86 is thus free for the passage of ignition gas to the ignition burner. However, no ignition gas will flow since the supply of gas is still blocked by the safety valve 78, 79.

When the pivoting handle 106 is in this position it can be depressed. Accordingly, the nose 112, fixedly disposed on the retaining ring 107 will traverse the aperture 113 on the collar 114 (FIGS. and 7). The valve stem 109 will retain its raised position as this is made possible by the width of the cam track. Depressing the pivoting handle 106 causes the thrust member 103 and the thrust pin 102 connected thereto to be displaced via the cams 105. The thrust pin is guided in sealing and sliding manner in the wall 119. The thrust pin 102 acts on the short lever arm 101 of the rocker lever 100 to pivot the lever and its pivoting motion is transmitted through the bifurcated end 98 onto the stop abutment 91 of the push rod 89. The push rod 89 moves through the control valve closure 80 against the force exerted by the springs 81, 97. It presses against closure 78 and, against the resistance of spring 77, opens the safety valve 78, 79. Simultaneously, the armature is thrust into the magnet 76.

Ignition gas will now emerge from the ignition burner. The pivoting handle 106 is released when the magnet 76 has been sufficiently energized by the thermocouple, heated by the ignition flame, so that the armature will be retained by magnet 76 and the safety valve 78, 79 is retained in the open position. The push rod 89 returns into its position shown in FIG. 5 upon the release of handle 106. The nose 112 emerges from the aperture 113 of the collar 114.

The pivoting handle may then be further pivoted into the open position. This causes the cams 105 to move into the depressions 115 of the thrust member 103. The ribs 116, guided in the grooves 117 of the extension 118 hold the thrust member against rotation. The thrust member 103 approaches the handle 106 and the thrust pin 102 as well as the rocker lever 100 will follow this motion. The spring 81 expands and moves the push rod back from the control valve closure 80 until the stop abutment 90 touches the said control valve closure 80. Under the urging of the compression spring 97 the push rod 89 is moved to withdraw closure 80 from its seat. The extent of the movement is determined by the cam track 104 of the thrust member 103 bearing on the cams 105 of the pivoting handle 106 which resistance is transmitted through the stop abutment 91 and the rocket lever 100 to the push rod 102. The main gas passage to the burner is thus free.

The closing motion of both gas paths for the main gas and the ignition gas is performed in the reverse sequence. Return rotation of the pivoting handle 106 causes the cams to be moved from the depressions 115 according to FIG. 8 into the depressions 11l according to FIG. 7. Through the push rod 102 and the lever 100, this moves the push rod 89 to cause the control valve 80, 82 to assume its closed position illustrated in FIG. 5. The ignition gas valve 86, 87 remians open.

Further return rotation of the handle causes the cams 105 to slide out of the depressions 111 into the depressions (FIG. 6). This causes cam 108 to release valve stem 109 and the ignition valve 86, 87 also closes. After some cooling time has elapsed, the magnet 76 will release the magnet armature and thus release the valve closure 78 of the safety valve and the passage through seat 79 is thus also once again blocked. Similarly, should the ignition flame go out by accident, the magnet 76 will be deenergized so that the safety valve closure 78 moves against its seat to shut off the flow of gas.

We claim:

1. In a gas control apparatus including a housing having a gas inlet, a main burner gas outlet, a chamber, and an ignition gas duct communicating with said chamber, a first valve between the inlet and the chamber, a valve rod operatively associated with the first valve and movable longitudinally in said body from a first position at which said valve is closed to a second position at which said valve is open, thermoelectric safety means associated with said first valve and including an electromagnet for holding the first valve in the open position when the electromagnet is energized, a second valve between said chamber and said main burner gas outlet and including a valve closure movable, in the direction of gas flow, from its seat to a position spaced from said seat, said valve rod being slidably and sealingly guided through said closure and having means to move the closure from its seated to said spaced position, and a handle member pivotably mounted on said housing for movement about an axis for operating said valves, said handle member being pivotal from a first position at which all valves are closed to a second, ignition psoition and a third, operating position, the improvement comprising:

a thrust member mounted on said housing in juxtaposition to said handle member and movable along said axis and restrained against rotation,

an actuating device operatively connecting said thrust member and said valve rod for actuating said valve rod upon said axial movement of said thrust member, and

means for axially moving the thrust member in response to pivotal movement of the handle member, said last mentioned means comprising a cam secured to one of said members and a cam track secured to the other of the members.

2. In a gas control apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a third valve in said ignition gas duct and having a valve stem for moving the third valve from a closed to an open position, a control cam secured to said handle member and positioned to contact said valve stem to open said third valve when said handle is in the second and third positions.

3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said valve rod is parallel to said axis and extends through the thrust member with an end adjacent said handle member, and including spring means resiliently urging the valve rod against the thrust member, a central pushbutton in said handle, means interconnecting the pushbutton to permit movement of the push-button in the axial direction only when the handle is in the second position, means interconnecting the push-button and the thrust member for restraining the push-button against rotation, said push-button being aligned to contact the valve rod when it is moved in the axial direction.

4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second valves are at opposite sides of said chamber, and including a lever pivotally mounted in said housing and having one end between said valves and aligned with said valve rod so that the lever will be pivoted when the rod is moved from the first to the second position, said safety means including an armature, means connecting the other end of the lever and the armature and guiding said armature for movement toward and away from said magnet.

5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including means having a portion in the handle member and a portion on the housing for permitting said handle member to be moved axially from a normal to a displaced position only when it is in the second position.

6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the actuating device includes a rocker lever pivotally supported in the housing and having a bifurcated end through which the valve rod extends, said valve rod having an abutment thereon between the end and said closure, a thrust pin between the handle member and the rocker lever for rocking the latter toward said abutment when the handle member is moved to the displaced position.

7. ln an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including means having a portion in the handle member and a portion on the housing for permitting said handle member to be moved axially from a normal to a displaced position only when it is in the second position.

8. ln an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the actuating device includes a rocker lever pivotally supported in the housing and having a bifurcated end through which the valve rod extends, said valve rod having an abutment thereon between the end and said closure, a thrust pin between the handle member and the rocker lever for rocking the latter toward said abutment when the handle member is moved to the displaced position.

9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7,

including a regulating valve having a valve seat, a

valve closure and adjusting means; wherein said first valve has a valve closure attached to said electromagnet, and said housing comprises three parts, namely: a first part having the gas inlet, the valve rod and the handle member,

a second part which is in the form of a plate and at its surfaces forms the valve seats for each of the three valves, and

a third part holding the electromagnet and valve closure attached thereto, the regulating valve closure and adjusting means.

10. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1,

including a regulating valve having a valve seat, a

valve closure and adjusting means;

wherein said first valve has a valve closure attached to said electromagnet, and

said housing comprises three parts, namely:

a first part having the gas inlet, the valve rod and the handle member,

a second part which is in the form of a plate and at its surfaces forms the valve seats for each of the three valves, and

a third part holding the electromagnet and valve closure attached thereto, the regulating valve closure and adjusting means.

11. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve rod is parallel to said axis and extends through the thrust member with an end adjacent said handle member, and including spring means resiliently urging the valve rod against the thrust member, a central push-button in said handle, means interconnecting the push-button to permit movement of the pushbutton in the axial direction only when the handle is in the second position, means interconnecting the pushbutton and the thrust member for restraining the pushbutton against rotation, said push-button being aligned to contact the valve rod when it is moved in the axial direction.

12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first and second valves are at opposite sides of said chamber, and including a lever pivotally mounted in said housing and having one end between said valves and aligned with said valve rod so that the lever will be pivoted when the rod is moved from the first to the second position, said safety means including an armature, means connecting the other end of the lever and the armature and guiding said armature for movement toward and away from said magnet. 

1. In a gas control apparatus including a housing having a gas inlet, a main burner gas outlet, a chamber, and an ignition gas duct communicating with said chamber, a first valve between the inlet and the chamber, a valve rod operatively associated with the first valve and movable longitudinally in said body from a first position at which said valve is closed to a second position at which said valve is open, thermoelectric safety means associated with said first valve and including an electromagnet for holding the first valve in the open position when the electromagnet is energized, a second valve between said chamber and said main burner gas outlet and including a valve closure movable, in the direction of gas flow, from its seat to a position spaced from said seat, said valve rod being slidably and sealingly guided through said closure and having means to move the closure from its seated to said spaced position, and a handle membeR pivotably mounted on said housing for movement about an axis for operating said valves, said handle member being pivotal from a first position at which all valves are closed to a second, ignition position and a third, operating position, the improvement comprising: a thrust member mounted on said housing in juxtaposition to said handle member and movable along said axis and restrained against rotation, an actuating device operatively connecting said thrust member and said valve rod for actuating said valve rod upon said axial movement of said thrust member, and means for axially moving the thrust member in response to pivotal movement of the handle member, said last mentioned means comprising a cam secured to one of said members and a cam track secured to the other of the members.
 2. In a gas control apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a third valve in said ignition gas duct and having a valve stem for moving the third valve from a closed to an open position, a control cam secured to said handle member and positioned to contact said valve stem to open said third valve when said handle is in the second and third positions.
 3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said valve rod is parallel to said axis and extends through the thrust member with an end adjacent said handle member, and including spring means resiliently urging the valve rod against the thrust member, a central push-button in said handle, means interconnecting the push-button to permit movement of the push-button in the axial direction only when the handle is in the second position, means interconnecting the push-button and the thrust member for restraining the push-button against rotation, said push-button being aligned to contact the valve rod when it is moved in the axial direction.
 4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second valves are at opposite sides of said chamber, and including a lever pivotally mounted in said housing and having one end between said valves and aligned with said valve rod so that the lever will be pivoted when the rod is moved from the first to the second position, said safety means including an armature, means connecting the other end of the lever and the armature and guiding said armature for movement toward and away from said magnet.
 5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including means having a portion in the handle member and a portion on the housing for permitting said handle member to be moved axially from a normal to a displaced position only when it is in the second position.
 6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the actuating device includes a rocker lever pivotally supported in the housing and having a bifurcated end through which the valve rod extends, said valve rod having an abutment thereon between the end and said closure, a thrust pin between the handle member and the rocker lever for rocking the latter toward said abutment when the handle member is moved to the displaced position.
 7. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including means having a portion in the handle member and a portion on the housing for permitting said handle member to be moved axially from a normal to a displaced position only when it is in the second position.
 8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the actuating device includes a rocker lever pivotally supported in the housing and having a bifurcated end through which the valve rod extends, said valve rod having an abutment thereon between the end and said closure, a thrust pin between the handle member and the rocker lever for rocking the latter toward said abutment when the handle member is moved to the displaced position.
 9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, including a regulating valve having a valve seat, a valve closure and adjusting means; wherein said first valve has a valve closure attached to said electromagnet, and said housing comprises three parts, namely: a first part having the gaS inlet, the valve rod and the handle member, a second part which is in the form of a plate and at its surfaces forms the valve seats for each of the three valves, and a third part holding the electromagnet and valve closure attached thereto, the regulating valve closure and adjusting means.
 10. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a regulating valve having a valve seat, a valve closure and adjusting means; wherein said first valve has a valve closure attached to said electromagnet, and said housing comprises three parts, namely: a first part having the gas inlet, the valve rod and the handle member, a second part which is in the form of a plate and at its surfaces forms the valve seats for each of the three valves, and a third part holding the electromagnet and valve closure attached thereto, the regulating valve closure and adjusting means.
 11. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve rod is parallel to said axis and extends through the thrust member with an end adjacent said handle member, and including spring means resiliently urging the valve rod against the thrust member, a central push-button in said handle, means interconnecting the push-button to permit movement of the push-button in the axial direction only when the handle is in the second position, means interconnecting the push-button and the thrust member for restraining the push-button against rotation, said push-button being aligned to contact the valve rod when it is moved in the axial direction.
 12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first and second valves are at opposite sides of said chamber, and including a lever pivotally mounted in said housing and having one end between said valves and aligned with said valve rod so that the lever will be pivoted when the rod is moved from the first to the second position, said safety means including an armature, means connecting the other end of the lever and the armature and guiding said armature for movement toward and away from said magnet. 